Sweden Adds Four More Swimmers for Athens, Names Final Olympic Team

STOCKHOLM, July 24. LAST weekend's National Championships were the final opportunity to qualify for the Swedish national team that will compete in Athens.

Before the meet 12 swimmers had already been nominated for the team. Four more were added to the team when the meet was over.

Lars Frolander, defending Olympic champion in the 100-meter fly, had mot been able to compete since January. He had been prenominated, but was removed from the team in June. But during the Nationals he proved his capacity by making the fastest split in the 4×100 free relay for his team Linkoping. On the second leg he swam 49.1 – and was back on the team.

One to two other spots were still open for the same relay team when the individual 100 free started. Eric la Fleur, University of Arizona senior, posted 49.89, the fourth fastest time by any Swedish swimmer in the prelims. In the final it was a tight fight between Eric La Fleur and 17 year-old Erik Andersson from Trollhattan. The more experienced Eric made a strong finish and became the champion with a time of 50.15 while Erik posted 50.23. Both were later also picked for the Olympic relay team. The favorite, Stefan Nystrand, finished third, however he aws unrested for the meet.

Between one and three women were possible additions to the team. For the medley relay team, national team head coach Hans Bergqvist was looking for a fast backstroker. He also was hoping to add another freestyler to his free relay squads.

Unfortunately, no backstroker swam convincingly during the meet. Malin Svahnstrom, UCLA, took the only additional spot on the team after finishing third in 200 free, 2.02.96, far ahead from the other candidates.

Josefin Lillhage, Anna-Karin Kammerling and Johanna Sjöberg made strong performances in the meet, still being in heavy training. Among the top swims:

Lillhage, 200 free: 1.59.54

Kammerling, 50 free: 25.14; 100 fly: 58.85

Sjöberg, 100 fly: 58.96

Below is the full Swedish team. Swimmers may swim additional events in Athens.